New Health Culprit Carnitine Found in Red Meat

By MELINDA BECK

Doctors long have assumed that saturated fat and cholesterol in red meat are what raise the risk of heart disease. But a study out Monday in the journal Nature Medicine fingers another culprit: c

Carnitine, a compound abundant in red meat that also is sold as a dietary supplement and added to energy drinks.
Carnitine typically helps the body transport fatty acids into cells to be used as energy. But researchers at the Cleveland Clinic found that in both humans and mice, certain bacteria in the digestive track convert Carnitine to another metabolite, called TMAO, that promotes atherosclerosis, or a thickening of the arteries.

The researchers, led by Stanley Hazen, chief of cellular and molecular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute, examined records of 2,595 patients undergoing cardiac evaluations. They found that the more TMAO in their blood, the more likely they were to develop cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke and death.

Many studies over the years have linked consumption of red and processed meat to cardiovascular disease and some cancers. The Harvard School of Public Health reported last year that among 83,000 nurses and 37,000 male health professionals followed since the 1980s, those who consumed the highest levels of red meat had the highest risk of death during study, and that one additional serving a day of red meat raised the risk of death by 13%.
The new findings don’t mean that red meat is more hazardous than previously thought, but they may help explain the underlying risk, which some researchers have long thought was greater than the saturated fat and cholesterol content could explain.

Dr. Hazen speculated that Carnitine could be compounding the danger. “Cholesterol is still needed to clog the arteries, but TMAO changes how cholesterol is metabolized—like the dimmer on a light switch,” he said. “It may explain why two people can have the same LDL level [a measurement of one type of cholesterol], but one develops cardiovascular disease and the other doesn’t.”
One surprising finding, Dr. Hazen said, was how long-term dietary patterns affected the amount of TMAO-producing bacteria in the gut and thus magnified the risk. In the study, when a longtime omnivore consumed an eight-ounce steak and a carnitine supplement, both his bacteria and TMAO levels rose considerably. But when a vegan voluntarily ate the same combination, he showed no increase in TMAO or bacterial change.

“Vegans basically lose their ability to digest” carnitine, said Dr. Hazen.
The study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, didn’t assess how little red meat people could consume and still have elevated TMAO. Nor did it look at how long someone had to abstain from red meat to end the process. “We know it will be longer than one week, but shorter than one year,” Dr. Hazen said.
Trade groups for meat producers have questioned the link between red meat and cardiovascular disease on the grounds that studies that ask people to recall what they ate over long periods are imprecise.

As a dietary supplement, Carnitine is designated as “generally regarded as safe” by the Food and Drug Administration, but few studies have looked at its long-term safety. A 2006 risk assessment found no adverse effects when subjects consumed 2,000 milligrams a day for six months.

Ads for supplements promote Carnitine as helping boost energy levels, particularly in endurance sports, and assisting in recovery after intense exercise; some also claim that it helps reduce belly fat, shed pounds and improve brain function.
Duffy MacKay, vice president for scientific and regulatory affairs at the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade group for the supplement and energy drink industry, called the Nature study “a new, emerging hypothesis,” but said the researchers were drawing large conclusions from small studies of mice, bacteria and human biomarkers.

“The concept that one component of your diet, or one molecular, is responsible for your health woes is questionable,” Mr. MacKay added.
Dr. Hazen noted that some energy drinks have more carnitine in a single can than a porterhouse steak. “I worry about what happens in 10, 20 or 30 years of consumption,” he said.
He said humans generally have plenty of carnitine in their diet, which also is found in small amounts in nuts, beans, vegetables and fruit, and don’t need to take it in supplement form.

 

Lymph nodes

Lymph nodes are body organs (not glands) spread throughout your body. Their function is to filter out all the dead bacteria, viruses, and other dead tissue from the lymphatic fluid and eliminate it from the body. They are also the place where the white blood cells (lymphocytes) spend much of their time. When the immune system is activated they begin producing large numbers of lymphocytes which causes them to swell.

There are about 500-700 lymph nodes spread throughout the body. Click on the diagrams below for highly detailed pictures of where the lymph nodes are located. Below the pictures you will find information about the proper size that lymph nodes should be, their names, and a quick summary of how they feel and what it means.

Before you panic about why your lymph nodes are swollen please read the following articles about the causes of swollen lymph nodes.

• Lymphadenopathy and Malignancy from the American Academy of Family Physicians
• Lymphadenopathy: Differential Diagnosis and Evaluation

Head neck nodes	Axillary nodes	Mediastinal (chest) nodes	Lung nodes
Arm nodes	Messenteric nodes front	Messenteric nodes back	Inguinal nodes female
Inguinal nodes male	Leg nodes front	Leg nodes back

Some of the common names of the lymph node locations you will encounter are :

• Cervical – Nodes in the neck
• Axillary – Nodes in the armpits
• Supraclavicular – Nodes along the collar bone
• Mediastinal – Nodes in the upper body behind the sternum and between the pleural sacs (lung sacs)
• Mesentery – Nodes in the lower body (abdomen) below the rib cage
• Inguinal – Nodes in the groin
• Femoral – Nodes in the upper inner thigh

Most normal lymph nodes are about 1cm in size (0.5 to 2.0cm) but that size varies depending on the location of the node, and what activity is going on. Infections, cancer and many other conditions can cause it to expand as the immune system reacts to the problem. Abnormal size is defined as:

• Epitrochlear Lymphadenopathy >0.5 cm
• Inguinal Lymphadenopathy >1.5 cm
• Isolated lymphadenopathy in children >1.5 to 2.0 cm
• Other lymphadenopathy >1.0 cm

Note: Epitrochlear in layman’s terms means near the elbow or funny bone

From the links about lymphadenopathy at the top of this page you will also learn that the texture of the nodes is important. For example:

• Being tender does not differentiate between normal and cancerous.
• Rock hard nodes are more likely from some other type of metastatic cancer not lymphoma
• Firm but rubbery nodes could be lymphoma
• Soft nodes are most likely infection.
• Shotty nodes (multiple buckshot size) are likely viral in nature

 

Anxiety Symptoms

There are over 100 symptoms of anxiety.

Because each person has a unique chemical make up, the type, number, intensity, and frequency of anxiety symptoms will vary from person to person. For example, one person may have just one mild anxiety symptom, whereas another may have all anxiety symptoms and to great severity. All combinations are common.

 

16 Herbal Teas To Put On Your Grocery List

Herbal teas make for wonderful, low calorie and relaxing drinks.

Apart from having a beneficial effect on health, herbal teas are fragrant and appealing. Let’s take the mystery out of the herbal teas and discover together which teas are good for which symptoms.

You may want to copy and print these tips for the next time you’re in the tea aisle, so you can make a knowledgeable selection.

1. Nettle Is made with the leaves of stinging nettle, named for the tiny hairs on the fresh leaves which can sting the skin. Despite it’s rough exterior, nettle is one of nature’s best remedies for an assortment of ailments including anemia, high blood pressure, rheumatism, arthritis, coughs and colds, congestion, urinary tract infections, and kidney and bladder problems.

2. Chamomile Tea Chamomile is a popular herb that’s used in teas worldwide. Chamomile soothes the stomach and relieves bloating and indigestion. Chamomile also calms the mind and helps people relax and deal better with their stresses. Some people are allergic to chamomile and should avoid taking the tea. People who find it hard to go to sleep should drink a cup of chamomile tea before going to bed. Chamomile is known to fight insomnia by relaxing the body and the mind, enabling the person to fall asleep naturally.

3. Ginger Tea Ginger is an energizer and a simulator. Drinking ginger tea both stimulates and soothes the digestive system. Ginger has been known to aid people experiencing nausea. Arthritic people have found ginger tea helpful since it has anti-inflammatory properties.

4. Peppermint Tea Peppermint is a fragrant herb that makes for a soothing drink. Peppermint helps you digest foods better and also reduces flatulence and digestive issues. Peppermint is prescribed to people with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and gallstones in capsules. A cup of peppermint tea will ease nausea and vomiting, especially if you suffer motion sickness. If you have heartburn, don’t drink peppermint tea as this might aggravate your condition. Peppermint tea brings down the severity of herpes outbreaks. The natural mint flavor of the herb helps to freshen your breath. Other health benefits of this tea are control of muscle aches and chronic pain, clearing of congestion and mild coughs, mild asthma and reduction of stress.

5. Lavender Tea Lavender tea is made out of the dried purple, pink and white colored flowers that grow on lavender shrubs. Used as a scented herb for many centuries, lavender’s medicinal uses have been appreciated and documented for centuries. A cup of lavender tea can soothe your mind and body, inducing sleep. If you are feeling down and depressed, a cup of lavender tea can help uplift your spirit.

Lavender tea helps sooth and treat flatulence, colic, bowel infections and an upset stomach. Lavender tea can be used as a wash on the chest to help reduce cough, bronchitis, asthma, cold and other respiratory issues. For both children and adults, lavender is used to reduce body temperature during fever. Lavender also has healing properties; use a wash of lavender tea to help heal wounds, cuts, ulcers and sores.

6. Lemon Balm Tea Lemon balm tea is fragrant to drink and is a very effective tonic to calm nerves and anxiety. Cold lemon balm tea bags help relieve cold sores, or genital sores caused by the herpes simplex virus. Mix lemon balm leaves with valerian to treat anxiety, stress and insomnia. Lemon Balm contains several properties, which control herpes and also regulate the thyroid.

Lemon balm when mixed with peppermint can calm an upset stomach, sooth the digestive track and reduce flatulence. Drink lemon balm tea if you suffer from nerve pain. Drinking lemon balm tea also helps strengthen memory and brain functions and also uplifts one’s mood.

7. Rosemary Tea Rosemary is not only good for cooking but makes a healthful and highly beneficial tea. Rosemary can help your muscles to relax. Additionally, rosemary is an effective digestive aid as well. If you have gall bladder and liver complaints, drinking rosemary tea regularly will greatly help relieve your symptoms. Rosemary tea also relieves cough and mild asthma symptoms.

8. Hibiscus Flower Tea (Sorrel) Dried Hibiscus flowers are made into a tea that offers very high health benefits. Hibiscus tea is known to lower blood pressure, reduce high cholesterol and strengthen the immune system (it’s rich in Vitamin C). Hibiscus flower infusions have known to reduce hypertension as well, in people prone to this condition. A recent study reveals that hibiscus tea is rich in antioxidants, which protect the body against cell-damaging free radicals. Red zinger tea and sorrel tea contain hibiscus.

9. Green Tea Green Tea comes with such a host of health benefits, that it’s called the ‘wonder herb’ by tea drinkers and medical practitioners alike. Drinking green tea lowers cancer risk and also inhibits carcinogenic in cigarettes and other compounds when imbibed. Green Tea contains potent antioxidants called polyphenols, which help suppress free radicals. Green tea also stops certain tumors from forming. Green tea lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels and thereby promotes heart health. Green tea also lowers blood pressure, prevents and fights tooth decay and dental issues, and inhibits different viruses from causing illnesses.

10. Cardamom Tea Cardamom is an evergreen plant that’s grown mainly in India and Guatemala. Both dried white cardamom flowers and the sweetly aromatic seeds are used to make tea. Cardamom tea has a pungent, sweet and aromatic flavor. Cardamom tea helps treat indigestion, prevents stomach pain, and relieves flatulence. It’s also helpful to drink a glass of cardamom tea if you are feeling nauseous. Cardamom tea fights pulmonary disease where lots of phlegm is present. It also works as a good expectorant and relieves coughs. If you have drunk too many cups of coffee, drink a couple of cups of cardamom tea to help detoxify the caffeine from your system. Drinking a cup of cardamom tea is helpful for women who experience mood swings during their menstrual period.

11. Milk Thistle When consumed as a tea, milk thistle herb, (not as in dairy milk) is a gentle liver cleanser. It contains properties that help the liver to regenerate and function at a higher capacity. “Milk Thistle can also assist in the production of bile, which can help with our digestive process.

12. Rosehip Tea Rosehips are the fruit of the rose plant and are one of the best plant sources of vitamin C, which is important for the immune system, skin and tissue health and adrenal function. Consider reaching for rosehip tea next time you need a health boost.

13. Lemongrass The citrusy tang that comes from the lemongrass plant is favored in cooking as well as tea. Lemongrass teas are often served as an after-dinner drink to aid digestion—primarily due to a substance called citral, also the active ingredient in lemon peels. Though typically enjoyed unaccompanied by other herbs, it can also be blended to create lemon-flavored teas like Lemon Zinger.<

14. Echinacea Is widely used to prevent or cure the common cold. It’s a powerful herb that contains active substances that enhance the activity of the immune system, relieve pain, reduce inflammation and have antioxidant effects. The leaves and flowers of the uppermost part of the plant are the section believed to contain polysaccharides (a substance known to trigger the activity of the immune system).

15. Blackberry Leaves Picked, dried in the sun and infused with boiling water, blackberry leaves are the essence of most berry-flavored teas. Studies suggest that the leaves contain a healthy dose of flavonoids, which are known for their antioxidant activity.

16. Hawthorn The leaves, flowers and berries of the hawthorn plant are used in a variety of peach- and berry-flavored teas. The plant is believed to contain flavonoid-like complexes that help improve cardiovascular health by helping to relax and dilate blood vessels, which increases blood circulation and lessens stress on the heart. Hawthorn berries are also believed to relieve water retention by draining the body of excess salt.

 

Shiatsu Self Massage

An alternative way to relax, to manage and loosen up stress, nausea and muscle pain is through Shiatsu Self Massage. Shiatsu is a Japanese term meaning finger pressure. The use of thumb, finger and palm pressure in a continuous rhythmic pattern to energetic pathways (meridians) will improve the flow of imbalanced natural form of energy called “qi” through the body.  Applying pressure to certain body points will calm the overactive nervous system which helps to improve blood circulation, relieves stiff muscles and lessens stress.

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The Naked Truth About Breast Implants

• Whether you’re a woman who has, or is considering, breast implants, or you have a loved one who is, this interview with Susan Kolb M.D., F.A.C.S., A.B.I.H.M. provides invaluable information that could drastically improve your health.
• Both silicone and saline breast implants can cause serious health complications if they leak or rupture, either due to the chemicals and toxins in the silicone or implant shell, or due to bacterial and fungal growth.
• Surgery to remove the compromised implants and surrounding toxic areas can be lifesaving for some women, although the procedure is complex and must be performed by a highly skilled and experienced surgeon.
• Dr. Kolb explains the “safest” type of breast implant – smooth saline – as well as describes a new stem cell treatment that is undergoing testing, which may represent the future of breast augmentation.

 

‘Cinnamon Challenge,’ Popular with Teens, Proves Risky

By:Alexandra  Sifferlin

It’s a relatively simple dare, but teens are sending themselves to the hospital by attempting the “cinnamon challenge.”

 The objective is to swallow a tablespoonful of cinnamon in under 60 seconds — a nearly impossible feat that causes contenders to gasp, spit and choke while attempting to keep the spice down. The game has gained popularity in the last few years, and as News feed reported earlier this month, video after video of teens attempting the challenge are popping up on YouTube.

But the nonsensical challenge has serious health consequences. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), in the first three months of 2012, the nation’s poison control centers have received 139 calls seeking help for cinnamon misuse and 122 of the calls were related to the “cinnamon challenge.” Out of the 139 calls, 30 needed medical attention.

“Although cinnamon is a common flavoring, swallowing a spoonful may result in unpleasant effects that can pose a health risk,” said Dr. Alvin Bronstein, managing and medical director for the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, in the AAPCC statement. “The concern with the cinnamon challenge is that the cinnamon quickly dries out the mouth, making swallowing difficult. As a result, teens who engage in this activity often choke and vomit, injuring their mouths, throats and lungs. Teens who unintentionally breathe the cinnamon into their lungs also risk getting pneumonia as a result.”

The AAPCC says the Internet is encouraging the spread of the risky behavior among teens. As News feed reported, a website dedicated to the cinnamon challenge warns, “Do not attempt the cinnamon challenge without talking with a doctor.” But it adds, “Obviously they are going to tell you not to do it … so watch movies of people already feeling the pain.”

If monitoring alcohol and tobacco abuse isn’t enough, parents may now need to keep tabs on the spice cabinet. “We urge parents and caregivers to talk to their teens about the cinnamon challenge, explaining that what may seem like a silly game can have serious health consequences,” said Bronstein in the statement. Good grief.

 

Grapefruit juice reacts with expanding list of drugs

CBC.News

More prescription drugs are coming on the market that can interact with grapefruit juice with potentially serious effects such as sudden death, Canadian doctors warn.

David Bailey, a clinical pharmacologist at the Lawson Health Research Institute in London, Ont., discovered the interaction between grapefruit and certain medications more than 20 years ago. Since then, he said the number of drugs with the potential to interact has jumped to more than 85.

Taking one tablet of some medications with a glass of grapefruit juice can be like taking 20 tablets, says David Bailey. (iStock)

Grapefruit juice is known to interact with some types of medications, leading to an overdose hazard.

Bailey reviews new product monographs and prescribing information for the Canadian Pharmacists Association, and keeps a close eye on those with the potential to produce serious adverse reactions.

“What I’ve noticed over the last four years is really quite a disturbing trend and that is the increase in the number of drugs that can produce not only adverse reactions but extraordinarily serious adverse drug reactions,” Bailey said. “Between 2008 and 2012, the number of drugs in the list has gone from 17 to now 44.”

Many of the drugs are common, such as some cholesterol-lowering statins, antibiotics and calcium channel blockers used to treat high blood pressure. Others include agents used to fight cancer or suppress the immune system in people who’ve received an organ transplant.

People older than 45 buy the most grapefruit and take the most prescription drugs, making this group the most likely to face interactions, researchers said in an article published in Monday’s issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, titled Grapefruit-medication interactions: forbidden fruit or avoidable consequences?

Older adults also tend to be less able to compensate when faced with excessive concentrations of drugs compared with young and middle-aged people — another reason that those over 45 seem to be particularly vulnerable, they added.

David Bailey originally tested for an interaction between grapefruit juice and a medication in himself. (CBC)

“Taking one tablet with a glass of grapefruit juice is like taking 20 tablets with a glass of water,” Bailey said. “This is unintentional overdosing. So it’s not surprising that these levels go from what we call therapeutic to toxic.”

Of the 85 known drugs that interact with grapefruit, 43 can have serious side-effects, including sudden death, acute kidney failure, respiratory failure, gastrointestinal bleeding and bone marrow suppression in people with weakened immune systems.

The authors noted that all sources of grapefruit — the whole fruit or 200 mL of grapefruit juice — and other citrus fruit such as Seville oranges (often used in marmalade), limes and pommels can lead to drug interactions.

Why drug labels say ‘Do not take with grapefruit juice’

Researchers advised that the affected drugs should not be consumed with those fruits. They also suggested non-interacting alternatives that could be prescribed.

But the authors can’t say how big a problem the interactions are because of a lack of awareness. Health-care professionals might not be aware of the possibility to check into it and patients may not volunteer the information, Bailey said.

The researchers want to get the word out that the interaction can occur even if someone eats grapefruit or drinks the juice hours before taking a drug, such as downing the drink at breakfast and taking the medication after dinner.

Previously published reports showed that drinking a 200-mL glass of grapefruit juice once a day for three days produced a 330 per cent increase in the concentration of simvastatin, a commonly used statin, in the bloodstream compared with taking the medication with water.

The paper’s authors said that the interaction doesn’t apply to classes of drugs but to particular medications with three key characteristics:

• The drugs are taken orally.
• They percentage of the drugs that is absorbed or “bioavailable” is very low to intermediate.
• The drug is metabolized by a certain enzyme called cytochrome P450 3A4.

Patients can look for the criteria in the product monograph or prescribing information for a drug under “clinical pharmacology.”

In theory, the batch, storage conditions and white versus pink type of grapefruit might influence the size of the interaction but the researchers said that hasn’t been studied in detail.

Citrus fruits that interact contain active ingredients called furanocoumarins that irreversibly block the drug metabolizing enzyme.

A search of Health Canada’s adverse drug reaction database listed 30 reactions under “grapefruit” between Jan. 1, 1992, and June 30, 2012. The department cautioned that the data was voluntarily reported and should not be used to determine the incidence because the total number of reactions and patients exposed is unknown and other factors could be contributing.

 

12 Indian foods that cut fat

EISHA SARKAR (Mumbai Mirror)

You don’t have to acquire a taste for olive oil, seaweed or soya to maintain a low-fat, healthy diet. Indian cuisine can be healthy too, if it’s cooked with oil and ingredients that take care of your heart and health.

Ayurveda suggests you include all tastes — sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent — in at least one meal each day, to help balance unnatural cravings. Here are 12 foods that can help you lose weight and gain health:

Turmeric  : Curcumin, the active component of turmeric, is an object of research owing to its properties that suggest they may help to turn off certain genes that cause scarring and enlargement of the heart. Regular intake may help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol and high blood pressure, increase blood circulation and prevent blood clotting, helping to prevent heart attack.

Cardamom : This is a thermogenic herb that increases metabolism and helps burn body fat. Cardamom is considered one of the best digestive aids and is believed to soothe the digestive system and help the body process other foods more efficiently.

Chillies : Foods containing chillies are said to be as foods that burn fat. Chillies contain capsaicin that helps in increasing the metabolism. Capsaicin is a thermogenic food, so it causes the body to burn calories for 20 minutes after you eat the chillies.

Curry leaves : Incorporating curry leaves into your daily diet can help you lose weight. These leaves flush out fat and toxins, reducing fat deposits that are stored in the body, as well as reducing bad cholesterol levels. If you are overweight, incorporate eight to 10 curry leaves into your diet daily. Chop them finely and mix them into a drink, or sprinkle them over a meal.

Garlic : An effective fat-burning food, garlic contains the sulphur compound allicin which has anti-bacterial effects and helps reduce cholesterol and unhealthy fats.

Mustard oil : This has low saturated fat compared to other cooking oils. It has fatty acid, oleic acid, erucic acid and linoleic acid. It contains antioxidants, essential vitamins and reduces cholesterol, which is good for the heart.

Cabbage : Raw or cooked cabbage inhibits the conversion of sugar and other carbohydrates into fat. Hence, it is of great value in weight reduction.

Moong dal : The bean sprouts are rich in Vitamin A, B, C and E and many minerals, such as calcium, iron and potassium. It is recommended as a food replacement in many slimming programmes, as it has a very low fat content. It is a rich source of protein and fibre, which helps lower blood cholesterol level. The high fibre content yields complex carbohydrates, which aid digestion, are effective in stabilising blood sugar and prevent its rapid rise after meal consumption.

Honey : It is a home remedy for obesity. It mobilises the extra fat deposits in the body allowing it to be utilised as energy for normal functions. One should start with about 10 grams or a tablespoon, taken with hot water early in the morning.

Buttermilk : It is the somewhat sour, residual fluid that is left after butter is churned. The probiotic food contains just 2.2 grams of fat and about 99 calories, as compared to whole milk that contains 8.9 grams fat and 157 calories. Regular intake provides the body with all essential nutrients and does not add fats and calories to the body. It is thus helpful in weight loss.

 

Banana with Dark Patches Combats Abnormal Cells and Cancer

According to Japanese Scientific Research, full ripe banana with dark patches on yellow skin produces a substance called TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) which has the ability to combat abnormal cells. The more darker patches it has the higher will be its immunity enhancement quality; Hence, the riper the banana the better the anti-cancer quality. Yellow skin banana with dark spots on it is 8x more effective in enhancing the property of white blood cells than green skin version.
Eating 1-2 banana/s a day increases immunity.

Hoax or Fact:
It is a fact, but you have to choose the right one that suits you.

Analysis:
It is a fact that nutrient content of fruits change slightly as they ripen. As a banana ripens and turns yellow, its levels of antioxidants increases. These antioxidants in ripe bananas protect your body against cancer and heart diseases. But while overripe bananas certainly have nutritional value, they also lose some benefits. In full ripe bananas with dark spots on skin, the starch content changes to simple sugars that are easier to digest and may raise your blood glucose levels quickly, but it could be harmful for diabetic people. Also, the micronutrients like vitamins and minerals decrease as the bananas ripen.

 Tumor Necrosis Factor(TNF-α) is a cytokine, substances secreted by certain cells of the immune system that have an effect on other cells. This is indeed helpful in fighting abnormal turmor cells in body. Research done on ripening bananas has proved that the levels of TNF-α induction increased markedly with dark spots on skin before the entire banana peel turned brown. The research concluded that the activity of banana was comparable to that of Lentinan, a chemical immunostimulant that is intravenously administered as an anti-cancer agent. So, ripe banana can act as an anti-cancer agent by stimulating the production of white blood cells in the human cell line.

Both green and yellow bananas are high fiber foods rich in potassium, vitamin B6, fiber, and vitamin C. They have high calorific value because of their high sugar levels. A medium sized banana provides about 105 calories. Also, bananas are very good for our Gastro-Intestinal tract and aid in digestion. Therefore, eating one or two bananas is indeed good for health. Once bananas ripen fully, store them in the refrigerator to minimize further vitamin loss. Fresh bananas with brown patches on the skin are ripe enough to eat immediately. Make sure to avoid over-ripe bananas whose skin has turned brown or split open.

Reference

Japanese researchregarding Bananas